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shutupiamreading's reviews
1235 reviews
We Solve Murders by Richard Osman
funny
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
If you're going into this expecting it to be similar to the Thursday Murder Club and its vibes - don't. While this book has some of Osman's signature humor and banter, it's very different from his other series, and unfortunately it just didn't work for me.
- There were just way too many characters, red herrings, and subplots to keep track of. I'm an experienced mystery/thriller reader, but it felt as if the author did this to keep everything mysterious, which honestly feels a little like a cheap plot to keep suspense. Cutting 2-4 side characters and 2 red herrings would've made it a lot less confusing.
- The characters felt really flat and one-dimensional, which is a disappointment after Osman's amazing characterisation in Thursday Murder Club.
- The whole money laundering, hitman, influencer, organised crime thing didn't appeal to me at all, but I realise that's a personal preference.
That being said, I did really enjoy Rosie's character and Steve's character growth. And the final sentence was set up perfectly and made me chuckle.
- There were just way too many characters, red herrings, and subplots to keep track of. I'm an experienced mystery/thriller reader, but it felt as if the author did this to keep everything mysterious, which honestly feels a little like a cheap plot to keep suspense. Cutting 2-4 side characters and 2 red herrings would've made it a lot less confusing.
- The characters felt really flat and one-dimensional, which is a disappointment after Osman's amazing characterisation in Thursday Murder Club.
- The whole money laundering, hitman, influencer, organised crime thing didn't appeal to me at all, but I realise that's a personal preference.
That being said, I did really enjoy Rosie's character and Steve's character growth. And the final sentence was set up perfectly and made me chuckle.
Give Me a Sign by Anna Sortino
informative
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
I absolutely adored this little book. It’s a wonderful story about learning to embrace deafness and exploring your identity as a disabled person. It’s also really informative to read as a hearing person, especially given the variety in different levels of hearing that are represented in this book. A lot of insightful conversations that provide perspectives that I wasn’t familiar with, and I really did learn a lot while reading this. I highly encourage anyone to read this!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism and Police brutality
Moderate: Vomit
Lost and Lassoed by Lyla Sage
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
The Last Devil to Die by Richard Osman
emotional
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I didn’t expect this to be so profound and that it would become my new favourite in the series. There is so much character growth in this book, and I really appreciated how a few characters that previously felt a little one-dimensional were given so much development and redeeming qualities. The subplot involving dementia was devastating but so beautifully handled for a rather light-hearted series. Love love love this series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Dementia
Between Friends & Lovers by Shirlene Obuobi
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I love love love this author’s books so much. I love how her main characters’ journey is often focused on embracing softness and allowing their loved ones into their lives. The romance set in a healthcare setting is, as always, really well done and I really enjoyed how she incorporated some really important conversations around working in the medical field into this book. Also loved how she approached the whole love triangle trope so differently and stayed away from blind jealousy, but instead had the two male characters get to know each other!
Charming as a Verb by Ben Philippe
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors
challenging
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Ready or Not by Cara Bastone
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I was going to rate this lower, but the ending was so sweet and wholesome that it redeemed itself.
Pros: I loved the overall arc revolving around the pregnancy and how themes of single parenthood were discussed. It was really sweet to see the protagonist rally her family and friends around her and to see her figure out her relationship with the child’s father.
Cons: the romance felt so cringey, and the main character and her love interest were so deeply unfunny and written like they were 15, not 30 years old. I skipped through some of the scenes between them because they were too cringey to read and just so not funny.
Pros: I loved the overall arc revolving around the pregnancy and how themes of single parenthood were discussed. It was really sweet to see the protagonist rally her family and friends around her and to see her figure out her relationship with the child’s father.
Cons: the romance felt so cringey, and the main character and her love interest were so deeply unfunny and written like they were 15, not 30 years old. I skipped through some of the scenes between them because they were too cringey to read and just so not funny.
The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Sea Change by Gina Chung
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
So happy I finally got around to reading this after being on my TBR for years. It’s a beautiful slice of life story against the background of immigration, grief, and sea life.